Can't believe I'm going to ask this in this thread, BUT did anyone catch Dane Cook's Showtime special?

Not that I'll watch it, but I'm curious as to how it was since he hasn't had a special that I know of for quite awhile. Wondering if he actually has something to say yet.

I thought this was excellent. He has a damn funny POV on a lot of subjects I haven't heard too many comics cover. There aren't a whole of really good black stand ups, so I'm glad I skimmed this thread and saw his name pop up.

The crowd was like most small LA crowds. Mostly friends who've heard most of the material and industry people.

Watched it last night. Some good, funny stuff. I suppose if you like Dane Cook, then you'll like it. If not, then you won't.
His bit about how men and women both deal with post break-up depression was really well done, and had me cracking up a ton.

The one thing that really stuck out for me was that there was an anger to his act that I haven't seen before. Like he had some kind of chip on his shoulder about things, and his crowd work was just a touch uncomfortable. He was kind of going after certain people in the audience. There was a defensive feel to it, like he was trying to direct the crowd on how to react at times.

I hate to say it, but there seems to be something kind of unhappy about the guy, different than the unusual, inherent unhappiness found in most stand up comics. It's like, the guy was a rock star a few years back, definitely one of the top 5 most famous comics in America. And he came out with a few movies that were all box office poison. It's like he had his shot to make the leap and he kind of blew it, and so he's doing another HBO special to pay the bills.

He is, of course, an excellent comic and very entertaining performer. His style is not for everybody, and he has unfortunately suffered from a great deal of hater blowback because he became so overhyped during his hot period, especially from the college crowd which contains such a huge amount of douchebags and morons, so he has easily been pegged as the guy who represents that crowd. He also talks a lot about those times (college, one night stands, relationships when you're young, etc.) but it's because he's trying to connect to that demographic.

He does have some great stuff to say, and when he is tuned in to that stuff and not doing so much shtick, he is really great to watch. I've seen him three or four times live in LA and he's been excellent every time. You can tell he's a guy who has such a great love for the craft.

I guess stealing jokes will have that effect on your career.

Getting all my money stolen when my career is starting to stagnate would make me depressed and angry as well.

Dane Cook sucks.

dane cook has exactly 1 funny bit:

Can't watch that on mobile, but I thought vicious circle was awesome. That's about it though. Can anyone refer me to the stuff he allegedly stole from Louis ck? Unless it's easy to Google, then nvm

What happened?

His half-brother/former manager stole millions (pretty much everything pre 2009) and is now in jail.

I think so many people who hate Dane cook are on their high horse. I mean I imagine at one point I thought he was unfunny but now realize e is really funny he just isn't meant for people like me.

I think people let his joke stealing or whatever cloud their judgment on the rest of his material which has a lot of funny things in it.

He is also the epitome of the effect delivery has on the humor of a joke. Sure some people find his over exaggerated motions annoying but again you are not hai target audience and I would find it amazing if you could truly say, objectively, that his delivery didn't make his jokes much much better.

He is the epitome of physical delivery while Louis is the epitome of the techincal/verbal aspect (cadence, pace, etc. ) IMO

The first time I saw Vicious Circle I loved it. I was like 19 or 20 and pretty green though. It didn't take me very long to find him pretty irrelevant and I've never gone back for a rewatch, but maybe I should. He's a good performer but in terms of his material, for me there just isn't enough substance there. Has it evolved since back then though? Does he have new ****? My guess is not really....

Louis had a whole bit about seeing an accident about to happen and wanting to scream a warning but couldn't think of how to get it out in time (obv it was very funny when he did it not so much when I describe it) and Dane flat out ripped it off pretty much exactly.


Dunno flat out stealing material (not just subject matter but actual ideas and stories) is unforgivable for me.
not much worse u can do as a standup, and don't think it's being a snob or on ur high horse to think someone sucks for that.

also most of his material isn't particularly creative or insightful he's all delivery.

Agreed. I was into him in college, probably the first comic I got into.

I became a hater like the sheeplike other people eventually, but after his Louie episode, and multiple great podcasts where he talks about what actually happened with the 'joke stealing' situation, backlash on success, his parents dying tragically... I've come around to liking the guy again. Sklarbro Country podcast had him on recently, maybe Maron ? Can't remember which ones but I'm sure you can google them.

I'm interested in seeing his special

As for my November lineup, be jealous.
1) Bill Burr at a smallish Improv club with my family visiting me in FL, their first real comedy show, my first time seeing him since the Southbeach Comedy Fest 2 years ago. can't. Wait.

2) Birbigs 2 weeks later, same club. Saw him in May at the Mirage and he KILLED. Can't wait to see even the same act but 6 months more refined.

wait a second, the guy makes millions doing standup, has been in multiple movies and is one of the most famous comedians working, but the people who don't like him are sheeplike?

Well obviously its impossible to steal subject matter. No such thing.

The whole joke stealing is a lot less black and white than people think.

A lot of respected comedians(louis ck) included say they dont believe he knowingly ripped jokes. Here is a quote from Louis CK:

"I think he sort of got some of my jokes in his head and got sloppy," C.K. said in the interview. "He’s a good guy and not capable of maleficence."

Which is understandable. Especially back in 06/07 when the internet wasnt as algorithmic and searchable as it is today(thats effectively the birth year of youtube), he probably heard so much comedy, surrounded himself with so much comedy, that it became hard to tell what was original and what wasnt. He probably lacked some due diligence, but iirc, he didnt retell the joke in a special or anything, could have been a one off, but maybe im wrong.

Especially with his profile. He isnt a stupid guy. He wouldnt knowingly take a joke from another well respected comedian. I mean there are probably so many unknown comedians he could have ripped that had a funny idea/bit that were never filmed saying it.

You really think, being the most sought after comedian at the time, he was like, hey thats a funny bit you did Louis, let me retell it.

He gets a lot more hate than he deserves.

Theres an entire, not so small, population in the world of people who literally will hate anything mainstream. So this point is silly.

you're delusional if u don't think he knowingly STOLE an entire bit.
it's not even debatable but judging from your posting history you prolly haven't even seen the bits in question and are arguing just to argue.
to each his own.
enjoy his tremendous body of work.

but ya I just hate everything "popular" which is why I hate Dave chappelle and Louis ck. good point.

I think I remember Louis doing that bit on Conans show lol. Pretty good bit

I know all the bits in question. I just dont remember when he used them, and when Louis used it. It is also said he stole the show size joke from demetri.

So Louis says he didnt think he stolel, many other comedians said they dont think he stole. But yet to you its completely obvious. Cool. You have no clue how easy it is to mix things up things when you literally surround yourself with it.

Edit: Ill leave you with another Louis quote so you can come back and confirm you know everything:

" "I'm not sure he stole [the material]. I don't know that. ... I think it's possible he might have seen these bits and absorbed them, and not known that he took them from me. I worry about that myself sometimes. It's hard to know where your thoughts come from, especially when you have a thirst for material because you need it professionally.""

The itchy ******* joke is just a similar topic. The naming and the inability to convey thoughts in situations are close, obviously, but again I would wager serious money(although cant be proved), that he didnt knowingly steal them.

I mean he makes the best point himself, he has hours of material, why would he?

Also LOL, I never said you hate everything popular, I said theres an entire group of people(since you seem dense, I am referring to hipsters), that will hate everything mainstream, so your whole argument that you hating the guy who is really popular cant possible make you a sheep is extremely silly. I never called you a sheep one way or another.

PLease learn to read and dont get so easily defensive. Will make everything easier for both of us.

nah I just need look n see who I'm responding to before posting.
you're one of the last ppl I care enough to bother explaining things too.
enjoy ur life bro.

All the Dane cook talk reminded me of jeselnik's impression: http://youtu.be/t_mzj9kiyAE

Hah funny you mention that because I actually asked him bout that on reddit. Laying in bed so this will have to do: